Organizers have made the difficult decision to postpone the Bill Keating Jr. Great Ohio River Swim, originally scheduled for this Sunday, August 30, to its scheduled make-up date of Sunday, September 13.
In advance of the Swim, organizers evaluate river stage, velocity, presence of debris, algae, bacteria and ambient weather. If river conditions do not meet the event’s safety standards, they postpone the event.
Based on current data, organizers expect the Ohio River’s velocity to be in excess of 1 mph this Sunday.
“The river current, which is typically around 0.5 mph for our swim, is currently running significantly faster and is not expected to return to a level we feel is safe for swimmers to cross the river this weekend,” said Event Chair Caroline Keating. “My number one priority is making sure this event is not only fun and memorable, but most importantly, safe for every swimmer who joins us. We know many of you have been training and looking forward to Sunday, which made this a tough call, but ultimately the right one.
“We are incredibly grateful for your support, flexibility and enthusiasm for this special Cincinnati tradition,” she added. “Now we’ll turn our attention to September 13 and hope Mother Nature cooperates so we can all enjoy a safe and beautiful swim across the Ohio River in a few weeks. Thank you for understanding, and we can’t wait to see you on the river.”
Participants in the Great Ohio River Swim enter the water at the Serpentine Wall in Downtown Cincinnati and swim to the Kentucky side of the river and back (approximately 900 meters) while the river is closed to motorized traffic.
Swimmers who want to go the extra miles (literally) participate as “Double Dippers.” This small group of participants take a 2.5-mile swim downstream along the Ohio shoreline before joining participants in the traditional 900-meter course. Registration for this year’s Double Dip is currently full.
This exciting open water swim benefits Adventure Crew, a local nonprofit that connects city teens with nature and each other through outdoor adventures.
“We love that the Swim is such a fun event that also builds community and awareness of Adventure Crew,” said Miriam Wise, director of support and engagement for the nonprofit. “What’s more, the funds we raise through event sponsorships and registrations help us get more city teens out on the kinds of outdoor adventures Swim participants love, including swimming and kayaking.”
The Swim is named for Bill Keating, Jr., one of the first swimmers to sign up for the inaugural event in 2007. (That first year, he won the men’s swim but lost the overall title to his daughter, Caroline Keating, who now serves as the event chair.) He continued to be a huge supporter of the event until he lost his battle with brain cancer in 2017.
There is room for a few more swimmers to join on the reschedule date. Approximately 35 spaces remain, but organizers expect the event to sell out in advance.
On the day of the event, check-in opens at 7 a.m., with mandatory open water safety instructions at 8 a.m. and an 8:30 a.m. start. Double Dippers must be present by 6:15 a.m. to complete their 2.5-mile swim before joining the 900-meter course. Event registration is limited to the first 275 participants.
About Adventure Crew
Adventure Crew connects city teens in Greater Cincinnati with nature and each other through outdoor adventures. Founded in 2013, the nonprofit now serves all Cincinnati Public Schools high schools, seventh and eighth graders in select CPS elementary schools, and six schools in Northern Kentucky – a total of 33 schools and more than 900 students per year.
Through challenging monthly adventures, city teens develop the courageous spirit to step out of their comfort zone and discover new worlds – outside in nature and inside themselves. This deep connection to nature will set a positive course for their lives – and help create the next generation of environmental stewards. For more information, visit www.adventurecrew.org.